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The Balusters is a comedy play written by David Lindsay-Abaire and originally produced at Manhattan Theatre Club.[1] It opened on Broadway in March 2026, and as of June 2026 is currently running at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. It received 5 Tony Award nominations, including Best Play.

Plot synopsis

When a newcomer to the Vernon Point Neighborhood Association suggests installing a stop sign on a picturesque block, chaos ensues.[2]

Production history

The Balusters was commissioned by Manhattan Theatre Club (MTC) through the Bank of America New Play Program and is a recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New Play Award.[3] It was written by American playwright David Lindsay-Abaire.[4][5] Lindsay-Abaire has a long history of collaboration with MTC going back to 1999, writing and producing plays such as Rabbit Hole, Ripcord, Fuddy Meers, Kimberly Akimbo, and Wonder of the World.[3][1]

Preview performances of The Balusters began at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on March 31, 2026, with an official opening night on April 21.[6] It is directed by Kenny Leon.[3] The run was extended an additional two weeks, through June 21, 2026.[7]

The set was designed by Derek McLane, costumes were designed by Emilio Sosa, and the sound designer was Dan Moses Schreier.[8] Allen Lee Hughes was the lighting designer, and J. Jared Janas designed the hair, wigs, and makeup.[9]

Critical reception

The Balusters was a NYT Critic’s Pick.[8] It earned five Tony nominations: Best Play, Best Costume Design of a Play (Emilio Sosa), Best Direction of a Play (Kenny Leon), Best Featured Actress (Marylouise Burke), and Best Featured Actor (Richard Thomas).[10]

Cast and characters

Character Broadway[6][11]
2026
Penny Bewell Marylouise Burke
Brooks Duncan Carl Clemons-Hopkins
Ruth Ackerman Margaret Colin
Kyra Marshall Anika Noni Rose
Eliott Emerson Richard Thomas
Willow Gibbons Kayli Carter
Isaac Rosario Ricardo Chavira
Alan Kirby Michael Esper
Luz Baccay Maria-Christina Oliveras
Melissa Han Jeena Yi

Awards and nominations

2026 Broadway production

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2026 Drama League Awards Outstanding Production of a Play Nominated [12][13]
Distinguished Performance Marylouise Burke Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding New Broadway Play Won [14]
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Play Won [15]
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play Anika Noni Rose Nominated
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play Maria-Christina Oliveras Nominated
Richard Thomas Nominated
Outstanding Direction of a Play Kenny Leon Nominated
Outstanding Scenic Design of a Play Derek McLane Nominated
Outstanding Costume Design of a Play Emilio Sosa Nominated
Outstanding Fight Choreography Thomas Schall Nominated
Tony Award Best Play Nominated [16]
Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play Marylouise Burke Nominated
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play Richard Thomas Nominated
Best Direction of a Play Kenny Leon Nominated
Best Costume Design of a Play Emilio Sosa Nominated
Dorian Award Outstanding Broadway Play Won [17][18][19]
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Broadway Play Marylouise Burke Nominated
Outstanding Broadway Ensemble Company Nominated
Outstanding Script of a Broadway Play David Lindsay-Abaire Won

References

  1. ^ a b “The Balusters – Edgerton Foundation New Play Awards”. TCG Circle. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
  2. ^ Kravitz, Jamie (2025-12-12). “‘The Balusters,’ starring Renée Elise Goldsberry and Marylouise Burke, announces complete casting & dates”. Broadway News. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  3. ^ a b c “The Balusters”. Manhattan Theatre Club. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
  4. ^ Huston, Caitlin (2025-05-14). “David Lindsay-Abaire Brings New Play ‘The Balusters’ to Broadway in 2026”. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  5. ^ “David Lindsay-Abaire”. Music Theatre International. Retrieved 2025-12-24.
  6. ^ a b Culwell-Block, Logan (12 December 2025). “David Lindsay-Abaire’s The Balusters Completes Broadway Cast”. Playbill. Retrieved 22 December 2025.
  7. ^ Evans, Greg (2026-05-13). “Tony-Nominated ‘The Balusters’ Extends Broadway Run”. Deadline. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  8. ^ a b Shaw, Helen (2026-04-22). “Review: In ‘The Balusters,’ Neighborly Dysfunction Is on the Agenda”. The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  9. ^ “The Balusters”. Playbill. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  10. ^ Hall, Margaret (2026-05-28). “David Lindsay-Abaire’s The Balusters Proves ‘Nostalgia Is Toxic’“. Playbill. Archived from the original on 2026-05-29. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
  11. ^ “David Lindsay-Abaire’s The Balusters Finds Its Broadway Cast”. Playbill. Archived from the original on 2025-10-07. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
  12. ^ Gans, Andrew (April 20, 2026). “2026 Drama League Awards Nominations Are Out; Read the Full List”. Playbill. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  13. ^ Hipes, Patrick (April 20, 2026). “Daniel Radcliffe, Luke Evans Among Drama League Award Nominees”. Deadline. Retrieved 2026-04-20.
  14. ^ Fierberg, Ruthie (2026-05-11). “Announcing the 2026 Outer Critics Circle winners: Full list”. Broadway News. Retrieved 2026-05-11.
  15. ^ “2026 Drama Desk Award Nominations Announced: Full List”. Broadway.com. 2026-04-29. Retrieved 2026-05-02.
  16. ^ Lam, Katherine (2026-05-05). “2026 Tony Awards nominations are announced. See the full list”. CBS News. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
  17. ^ Abourizk, Michael (May 13, 2026). “Dorian Theater Awards announces 2026 nominees”. Broadway News. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  18. ^ Mandell, Jonathan (May 13, 2026). “2026 Dorian Theater Award Nominations: Schmigadoon, Lost Boys lead”. New York Theater. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  19. ^ Mandell, Jonathan (June 1, 2026). “2026 Dorian Theater Award winners: Schmigadoon. Prince Faggot. Ragtime: Joshua. Junior. Quincy. Qween”. New York Theater. Retrieved June 1, 2026.